When you think of whiskey, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s barrels for aging or fancy glass tumblers for sipping. You might immediately think of Scotland or states like Tennessee and Kentucky, known for bourbon production. However, Texas also has its own whiskey makers, and now you can learn all about them on a new podcast called The Texas Whiskey Trail.
Hosted by Mando Rayo, who also hosts the Tacos of Texas podcast, The Texas Whiskey Trail podcast is a journey through the distilleries of Texas, from the Hill Country to North Texas. Chloe Bertrand, a digital and social media marketing specialist at Go Texan, explained that the podcast was created to promote Texas-made spirits as part of the State Department of Agriculture’s Go Texan program.
The idea for the podcast came about as a way to showcase Texas whiskey at the State Fair of Texas in the Go Texan Pavilion. Every evening, there is a Texas Whiskey Hour where visitors can sample Texas whiskey. To promote this event, Mando Rayo approached the team, leading to a collaboration that resulted in the creation of the first podcast for the Go Texan program.
Rayo and his team visited various distilleries across Texas, speaking with passionate distillers about their craft and the stories behind their whiskey-making journeys. The podcast features conversations with distillers from well-known Texas distilleries such as Garrison Brothers, TahWahKaro, Andalusia, Ranger Creek, and 1845.
Rayo expressed his fascination with the artistry behind the distilling process, particularly the focus on craft and hands-on involvement in every step. As an amateur whiskey aficionado himself, he shared his curiosity about the different flavors and styles of whiskey, such as nutty, fruity, or chewy bourbon.
For those interested in exploring the world of distilling, Bertrand suggested following the Texas Whiskey Trail, which outlines a route to visit distilleries across the state. She recommended starting by listening to the podcast to discover which whiskeys resonate with individual preferences and then planning a tasting route accordingly.
When it comes to pairing whiskey with food, Rayo had some delicious suggestions. He recommended bourbon carnitas, barbecue brisket, and pecan pie as perfect accompaniments to your drink of choice.
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